Ventricular macro-reentry tachycardia of the bundle branch type--indications for catheter ablation

Out of 115 patients with recurrent sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia who underwent catheter ablation between August, 1987 and May, 1992, 7 were found to have bundle branch reentry. Bundle branch reentrant tachycardia was assumed if His potential or bundle branch potential preceded ventricular activation during tachycardia with identical H-H'- and V-V'-intervals. In 5 patients, catheter ablation of the right bundle branch and in 2 patients, ablation of the proximal left bundle branch were performed with direct current or radiofrequency energy. The procedure was successful in all 7 patients. During the follow-up of 15 +/- 12 months, 3 patients died due to cardiac failure. One patient had sustained ventricular tachycardia 12 months after catheter ablation which was not due to bundle branch reentry and was treated with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator. Atrioventricular conduction delay in the surface electrogram and during electrophysiologic study may give a hint at bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia since it was seen in 5 of our 7 patients. Catheter ablation of one bundle branch is an effective treatment which can prevent recurrence of this tachycardia.